31:11 – Recognising two distinct trends on the programme of late, obsessive spreadsheeting, resenting new computer hardware, more thoughts around working from coffee shops instead of home/work, the computer dock and concept pioneered by the late OQO, and some speaking in between the coughs! Feedback from Chad Bowers and Dave on Onsug.com.

36:37 – Another trip down to Melbourne, so coming to you from the airport! Topics include authentic Melbourne/Seattle weather, growing up here, coffee shops versus desks, Stone and Wood, David Letterman, forex, loud friggen buses, some brief anime reviews (Gintama, Kakuriyo, Holmes of Kyoto, Isekaya Nobu, Frankenstein Family, Harukana Receive), puns, and other things unrelated to Melbourne. Prefaced back in Sydney with listener feedback from Chad Bowers. Recorded 9th October 2018.

Released October 2018 on Rubenerd and The Overnightscape Underground, an Internet talk radio channel focusing on a freeform monologue style, with diverse and fascinating hosts; this one notwithstanding.

17:29 – Taking a business day trip to Melbourne, and realising it looks more and more like Sydney. Also primate cities, taking the tram, evening strolls, and other observations. More California audio coming soon, just popping in for a hello!

27:51 – Join Ruben and Clara as they explore around Mission Bay in lieu of taking the Muni Metro T line, then across to explore the grounds of the Transamerica Pyramid, then over to a very foggy crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge. Intro news clip from KPIX5 CBS.

41:36 – I’m in Tokyo for AsiaBSDCon 2018 and annual leave. Too much audio to process! So for now, have this clip of Clara and I talking about our day trip to Odawara. Topics include the Train Simulator route of yore that inspired the trip, the Odakyu Luxury Super Express, walking past restaurants, Clara cat spotting, dango balloons, Odawara Castle, Ito En milk coffee, Denny’s, ikiben, shiba inu dogs, Foursquare/Swarm, and getting back to Kudanshita.

20:44 – Quick report from a business trip to Canberra, with unreality, Australia’s worst Thai food, evil vending machines, cashew bags, flight delays, and other fun. Then back to Sydney for an apology to Jimbo and fascinating, though dusty, construction sites. Recorded 30th August and 25th September 2017.

01:01:03 – Join Ruben as he wanders through Osaka to Namba Parks, where he procures a vending machine beverage and groks millions of Japanese train lines, ICOCA, the largest Japanese electronics chain, weebs and otaku, A4 clear files with anime and trains, roof–top landscapes, and Boss coffee. Then to Clara and Ruben on the tiny Nakanoshima island in the middle of Osaka talking about white people in Japanese ads, Yaoi, Royal Milk Tea can instrumentation, lit up bridges across the Dōjima River, Japanese department stores, learning languages, and a final wander through the middle of Osaka before we leave back for Hong Kong. Thank you Kansai ♡. Recorded 31st July 2017.

01:01:11 – Ruben wanders back from Namba to their Airbnb in Osaka, rambling about visually impaired assistance, political posters, Japanese curry, police, pachinko, lack of street names, complicated bathrooms, and Mashu/Shielder from Fate/Grand Order. Then Clara and Ruben wander around Ninna-ji in Kyoto chatting about the Rurouni Kenshin films, anime flashback episodes, and mushrooms. Then over to Arashiyama talking about soba and Kyoto tofu, beautiful scenery around the Katura River, Kyoto trolley trains, bamboo forests, rickshaws, late-opening shops, and the Togetsukyo bridge. Recorded 29–30th July 2017. Sounds from the Osaka and Kyoto subways, and some spontaneous street music.

45:18 – With apologies to Michael Franks, we didn’t spend Christmas in Kyoto, but we did explore the hallowed grounds of the Kyoto Animation gift shop and studios (the greatest anime production house ever, obviously), then down to the market that inspired Tamako Market, the Imperial Palace, and an equally impressive convenience store. Other topics include railfans at JR crossings, cicadas, fog and monsoons, Disney, pretty anime boys, Yahoo and Infoseek, and getting lost at Kyoto station. Sounds from the Osaka-Kyoto Shinkansen, and the Kyoto Municipal Subway.

01:03:56 – Join Ruben as he ventures through the otaku and tech mecca of the Kansai region in Den Den Town (でんでんタウン), then with Ruben and Clara during the Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) by the Okawa, intersperced with the sounds of the Osaka subway. Topics include Japanese cicadas, travel, ubiquitous speakers, vending machines, cute mascots, anime, summer festival food, and much more! Recorded Tuesday 25th July 2017. More to come.